Thoughts on, "Cast of Characters, Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God" by Max Lucado

Story after story marked by scandal, stumble, and intrigue. Who are these people? They’re the people in the Bible.

And they’re us. We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the hands of an Uncommon God.

In Cast of Characters Max Lucado tells us the stories of normal everyday people in the Bible that God used to make a difference for all eternity. Lucado doesn’t just touch on the well-known heroes of the Bible, he also tells the stories of those lesser known Bible characters. He tells us about the common everyday people who existed in those times, those who even though they were not perfect (as none of us are), were used greatly by a perfect God. Especially when they doubted it was possible…

Max Lucado is a masterful storyteller. Whenever I read one of his books I feel as if I am sitting down with a great friend and a cup of coffee (or soda in my case since I don’t drink coffee) having a wonderful conversation. This book is no exception. Max gives us Bible stories that are familiar, and some that maybe we’ve never thought about in depth before, and puts a new spin on them; gives us a new perspective on these people, so to speak. Many times speaking from the viewpoint of the character, Lucado gives us an interesting viewpoint as to what these people might have thought and felt as they were going through their life. When we read the Bible, or at least when I read the Bible, sometimes it is easy to lose perspective on the characters. We tend to view them as distant (which they are) but not just time-wise. I think that often we think of them as larger than life people of great faith and without doubt. Lucado helps us to remember that these people were just like you and I. They had problems, doubts, fears, frustrations, and the whole gamut of emotions we still feel today. Each chapter includes a list of reflection and discussion questions which would make this book great for a Small Group or Study setting. Each chapter, each story, makes you think and want to come back for the next chapter. Cast of Characters is a new spin on Bible stories, but it does not stray from the Truth. There are plenty of Scriptures listed throughout the book, and peppered within the stories (of course since they are Bible stories). This book is a wonderful read, very thought provoking and enlightening. Anyone with any interest in the Bible at all should pick it up, I’m pretty sure you won’t’ be able to put it down.